High in protein, meat helps to build muscles and provides plenty of vitamins and minerals. Red meat in particular is thought to be heart healthy, while chicken and pork are leaner cuts that boast low salt quantities. Organic and free-range poultry are often times desired by consumers but they cost more. So do cuts of prime rib and filet mignon. You may feel like you need someone to help you decipher it all.

Your local butcher or grocery market meat department worker can let you in on the differences in cuts and price, along with the benefits of each type of meat or poultry. But that’s not all: your butcher can slice up the food, as in the case of porterhouse steak, or grind it up fresh, as in the case of hamburger.

Meat retailers may also offer pre-packaged marinated portions of beef, pork chops, and chicken for your convenience. They may also offer fresh servings of pork shops, prime rib, and sirloin ready for you to take home, cook, and eat. Some even specialize in more exotic meats such as ostrich.

When looking to buy the most affordable cuts of steak strips, beef, and chicken, you can also utilize the websites of meat retailers to help you pick the right cuts, along with recipes you can download. Retailers also sell the accessories you will need to cure and season your meat to make it even tastier. This can range from condiments such as gourmet mustard to seasonings like salt. They may also sell deli cheese, fresh ground hamburger patties, beef jerky, and even seafood.

National Meat AssociationIf you're looking for the most preferred meat retailers in the nation, use our association's directory to find one near you! Our organization is the premiere resource for meat retailers everywhere.

"I went in the shop today to get some steaks for a cookout, and talked with Bill the Owner, and his son Brian. They both were so helpful and let me tell you, yes the meat is expensive but you get what you pay for. I have eaten meat all around the world and this was the best I have ever tasted. ..."

When buying meat in your local retail supermarket, always look through newspaper flyers to see what is on sale. You can get some great prices if you stock up on the best deals.
When food shopping, remember that beef comes in all different grades and cuts. Prime is usually the top level in a retail market, followed by choice and select. While browsing the beef section, be sure to look for marbleized steaks. Those strips will have the best flavor.
Try to eat fresh, free-range and organic meat whenever possible. Avoid eating too much cured meat such as jerky. It can be very salty and bad for your health.
You can find some nice steaks directly in the grocery steaks such as strip steak, porterhouse and sirloin steak. You can even find gourmet items like filet mignon. If you need a large order for a party such as a six pound prime rib or a rack of lamb, you should call your order into the butcher in advance.
While browsing the poultry section, make sure to always buy chicken with fresh dates. Many stores provide gloves in the poultry department so that you can avoid getting chicken juice on your hand. Make sure to put your chicken packages in a plastic bag to avoid the juices from leaking on to other foods.
Pork chops can be a great food to cook on the barbecue in the summer. Ground hamburger meat is also good to stock up on in the warmer months. Throwing burgers and hot dogs on the grill can be an easy last minute meal.